METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LIGHT THERAPY
A laser device for stimulating a body region is disclosed. The laser device includes a housing structure having a head assembly, a plurality of pins, a plurality of laser modules, and a microcontroller. The pins are configured to stimulate a portion of a body region, without affecting the target area of the lasers. The laser modules are configured to provide laser energy to the body region.
This application is a continuation-in-part of non-provisional application Ser. No. 11/701,600, entitled A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STIMULATING HAIR GROWTH, filed on Feb. 2, 2007, which claims priority to provisional application 60/764,471, entitled A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STIMULATING HAIR GROWTH filed Feb. 2, 2006, the entire contents of which applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUNDThere are many known methods and uses for providing and promoting the regrowth of hair, treatments for acne and skin blemish control, treatments for periodontal diseases and hypersensitivity, wound epitelization (healing) and cutaneous aging (anti-aging). Some of these therapies require the use of topical creams, surgical implants, laser augmentation, medications, etc. for treating thinning hair or alopecia (human hair loss), injection of toxins for treatment of wrinkles (anti-aging), or to attenuate pain and reduce inflammation associated with arthritis, etc. Many of these treatments are of limited usefulness, are invasive, use medication, are complicated and/or expensive. What is needed therefore is an effective, affordable and drug-free alternative to treat, prevent or impede many disorders.
A method and apparatus for providing Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is provided.
The basic principle behind LLLT is that coherent light emissions can affect and improve cellular dynamics. One method in which this can occur is through cellular energization, which transforms laser energy into cellular energy (e.g. photons to ions). Laser photons may increase the energy, including ion energy, available to cells so they take in nutrients and chemical fortifications faster, and dispose of indigenous waste bi-products more readily. Further higher rates of ATP, RNA and DNA are synthesized and increased levels of circulation, increasing blood arterial, venous and lymph micro circulation through vasodilatation. Laser light energy may also increase stimulatory and regulatory mechanisms of the skin cellular metabolism, blood circulation and oxygenation of the skin and scalp tissues, thereby helping to carry more essential minerals and nutrients into the areas where exposure from this laser energy subsisted. As a result of this increased blood flow, toxins and indigenous cellular waste bi-products, including harmful dihydrotestosterone (DHT) may be taken away in a more expedient matter. Laser energy also removes calcification and blockages around cells, increases cell replacement, regenerative, and proliferation function activities.
The device includes a plurality of laser modules configured to stimulate a treatment area such as hair follicles, papilla, and surrounding tissue and cells by providing free space coherent light energy. Body regions may include, but are not limited to, the face, head, arms, legs, and chest. One common use for LLLT is for stimulating hair growth on the head, where the treatment region includes the hair, follicles, skin and scalp. The apparatus may further include a plurality of pins, selectively positioned with respect to one or more laser modules, which pins may be in contact with the treatment region during use of the device.
In one exemplary approach, the device may be a hand-held, battery operated device shaped similar to a hairbrush. In another exemplary approach, the device may be a hood-shaped device, configured to be placed over a treatment area, such as the head of a user, similar to a commercial hair dryer. A hood-shaped device may be configured, e.g., to be mounted on a wall, or on a floor-standing pedestal.
Referring to
Laser modules 110 may include a laser diode, a photo diode, a power control circuit, a lens and a housing. The laser diode may be a tunable laser diode, capable of providing laser energy in one or more wavelengths and/or intensities. The lens may be configured to, e.g., collimate a beam, focus a beam, expand a beam, etc.
Laser modules 110 may be mounted within the head assembly 105. The orientation of laser modules 110 within head assembly 105 may depend in part on the number of laser modules 110, pins 115, motors, sensors and transducers that are installed in the head assembly 105, as well as the intended LLLT treatment to be provided. In one exemplary approach, laser modules 110 may be mounted such that a subset of laser modules 110 may project focused beams to contact a target area at substantially the same location, as best illustrated in
In the illustrated approach of
Laser control circuit 142 may pulse beams from lasers L1, L2, L3 according to one or more pulsing modes. Pulsing lasers L1, L2, L3 provides intermittent beams to the target area, which allows cells, tissues, hair papilla, follicles and hair to rest and/or resonate. Allowing a target area to rest and/or resonate may increase the effects of cellular stimulation, and may thereby aid and promote cellular proliferation and regeneration, hair growth, collagen development, etc. Accordingly, LLLT may be made more effective by pulsing laser beams, causing a target area to rest and/or resonate. Pulsing modes may indicate, e.g., the frequency of pulses, dictating the number of pulses provided per second, the power and duty cycle of the pulse, indicating the percentage of time the laser is powered between pulses, the power characteristics of the pulse, such as whether the pulse is fully powered during the entire “on” segment of a pulse or whether power ramps up or down to a particular power level, etc.
Pulsing beams from lasers L1, L2, L3 may reduce power consumption, such as by reducing laser diode 110 thermal runaway, which may extend battery life of a laser device 100, by providing power to lasers L1, L2, L3 intermittently. Further, intermittently powering off lasers L1, L2, L3, or periodically reducing laser power intensity, may also extend the useful life of the device, the laser modules L1, L2, L3, etc.
Pulsing a laser may be accomplished by altering the laser duty cycle. For instance, in an exemplary embodiment, as opposed to having constant power provided to a laser module, the laser module may be provided with a 20% duty cycle, where a laser module is powered on for a first time period (the “on-cycle”), followed by a second time period, four times the length of the first, in which the laser is not powered (the “off-cycle”). The cycle may then be repeated. Subsequent cycles may use the same duty cycle, or may use alternate duty cycles, from 0 to 100%.
In addition, pulsing may further be configured to provide additional control over power levels. For instance, in the preceding exemplary embodiments, a duty cycle comprises a first period (the “on-cycle”) where the laser is powered, followed by a second period (the “off-cycle”) where the laser is not powered. Additional embodiments may be provided wherein the on-cycle of the duty cycle may comprise sub-duty cycles, wherein power is pulsed during the “on-cycle” according to one or more duty cycles.
Pins 115 in head assembly 105 may serve as a mechanism to regulate distance between laser modules 110 and a body region being treated. By maintaining the distance between the emanating aperture of the lasers 110 and the body region subjected to treatment, the optimum amount of laser energy is appropriately distributed without maximizing the intensity of the laser energy and over-exposing the body region exposed to treatment. In addition to regulating power intensity through pins 115, power intensity may also be affected by the number of laser modules 110 providing laser energy to a given treatment area, the power output of the laser modules 110, the pulsing scheme of the laser modules (e.g. the duty cycle, etc.), the lens through which laser energy travels, the surface area over which the energy is provided, etc.
Pins 115 may be retractable and/or compression spring type pins, allowing the pins 115 to conform to the changing contours of a treatment area, and to remain in constant contact therewith. Pins 115 may be mounted within head assembly 105, such as on an inner face proximate one or more holes 120 defined within the head assembly 105, on a printed circuit board 175 disposed within the head assembly 105, etc.
By selectively combining pins 115 and laser modules 110, a treatment region may be defined wherein laser energy is distributed to a substantially undisturbed portion of a body region being treated. More specifically, pins 115 and laser modules 110 may be mounted with respect to one another such that pins 115 and laser modules 110 act independently of one another, allowing laser modules 110 to impact a substantially undisturbed treatment region
Pins 115 in head assembly 105 may serve a number of purposes. As mentioned above, pins 115 may serve to regulate distance between apertures of laser modules 110 and a body region being treated. Furthermore, pins 115 may be configured, by way of example and not of limitation, for additional tissue stimulation, measurement devices, distance and/or positioning sensors, transducers and/or electrodes.
Configuring pins 115 for additional tissue stimulation may allow for increased blood circulation, and/or help free debris from treatment area, such as by freeing indigenous debris from follicles in the treatment area. In one exemplary approach, pins 115 may be operatively connected to one or more motors configured to vibrate the pins 115 to massage the tissue in a treatment area. The motors may be, e.g., vibrating, off-axis motors. In another exemplary approach, ring magnets 154 (
One or more positioning sensors or switches may be operably connected to one or more pins 115 to determine when the device 100 is placed in contact with the desired treatment region, such as the scalp of a user. In addition, sensory devices, such as acoustic, sonic, ultrasonic, inductive, magnetic, optical, speed, proximity LED's, thermistors, thermal couples, RTD, optocouplers, optoisolators device, etc. may be incorporated or connected to the metal pins 115, or to springs mounted proximate to pins 115 to measure, e.g., resistance (ohmic), impedance, reactance, current, voltages, flow, pressure, thermal, light or chemical properties within a treatment area. Laser device 100 may use readings from positioning sensors or transducers devices attached to pins 115, as an indicator that the laser device 100 is positioned in a treatment region. The device 100 may use these readings to determine when to provide power to the one or more laser modules 110. By ensuring that device 100 is properly positioned prior to powering laser modules 110, or by removing power from laser modules 110 when laser device 100 is removed from a treatment area, power draw for the laser device 100 may be reduced, and radiation emissions from laser modules 110 will not be emitted to unintended areas
The head assembly 105 of laser device 100 may be modular and removable, allowing a user to easily interchange head assemblies 105. By interchanging head assemblies 105, a single laser device 100 may serve a series of different functions, and provide a series of different LLLT therapeutic applications, through the use of a variety of different lasers 110, pins 115, and combinations thereof. Laser modules 110 may be provided which are capable of operating at different wavelengths of light (WOL), different or variable power levels, and at varying pulse durations to accommodate varying treatment applications. Pins 115 may be provided which include any of a variety of optional functions, such as laser power activation, vibrating massage, magnetization, high-voltage electro-pulse, photon and tissue quantitative measurement capabilities, transducing and conducting temperatures, etc. Thus a user may use LLLT from device 100 to treat a myriad of conditions, including hair loss and rejuvenation, acne and blemish control, wrinkle reduction, skin rejuvenation (Anti-aging, cutaneous aging), anti-inflammation and arthritis control, wound epitelization (healing), hair reduction (epilation), periodontal disease and hypersensitivity treatment, muscle rejuvenation, sanitizing, sterilizing and tanning. By way of example, and not of limitation, to stimulate hair growth the head assembly 105 may provide laser energy with a wavelength typically within the range of 630-670 nanometers (nm). To treat skin for wrinkle reduction (e.g. anti-aging), a modular (i.e. interchangeable) head assembly 105 may provide laser energy with a wavelength generally in the range of 650-830 nm. Including pins 115 with a vibrating feature, a magnetizing feature, or a thermally conductive feature, may increase blood circulation in the treatment area, which may increase the effectiveness of the LLLT. Pin 115 vibration may be at an acoustic level, such as ultrasonic or infrasonic levels. Laser modules 110 within a head assembly module 105 may have a common specified wavelength range. Alternatively, laser modules 110 within a head assembly module 105 may not have a common specified wavelength range, but may include two or more specified wavelength ranges within the same head assembly 105. Further, laser modules 110 within a head assembly module 105 may include one or more tunable lasers, said tunable lasers capable of providing laser light in two or more selectable wavelengths. Head assemblies 105 may be provided with quick disconnect method, such as a connector 154 (
Data port 122, as illustrated in
Battery compartment 135, as illustrated in
In the illustrated approach of
Functionality of laser modules 110 may be controlled by an internal microcontroller. The microcontroller may include a CPU core, LCD driver, SRAM, timers, programmable ROM, alarm generators, oscillator, timer/counters with pre-diver circuits and I/O ports. A microcontroller may be configured to be selectively programmed and may control, e.g., laser modules 110, motors connected to, or interacting with, pins 115, electro pulse voltage at different power intensities, laser modules 110 at different intensities, laser pulse intervals and time durations. For example a microcontroller may include a laser control circuit 142, as shown in
A microcontroller may further include a memory configured to store, e.g., control software for operation of the laser device 100, data representative of laser device 100 usage such as laser dosage or power, number of individual treatment sessions, duration of individual treatment sessions, pulse durations and intervals, total laser device 100 treatment duration, etc. The microcontroller may transmit such information through data port 122 between the laser device 100 and, e.g., a computer. The microcontroller may further be configured to receive updated treatment data, such as updated pulsing modes, power levels, treatment duration, device 100 treatment options, etc., from e.g., a computer. Additionally, microcontroller may be configured to receive software upgrades for a laser device 100, which may be uploaded from a computer, through data port 122.
The device 100′ of
Additionally, the device 100′ may include a transparent protective sheath 170 disposed around as least a portion of the housing 160. The protective sheath 170 may ensure that substantially all of the radiant energy from laser modules 110 is directed toward the treatment region, and is not directed to the area surrounding the device 100′.
The device 100′ may be mounted, e.g., on a floor stand, or on an arm extending from a mounting surface such as a wall or a ceiling. The device 100′ may be mounted such that the position of laser device 100′ is adjustable, to allow for easier placement of laser device 100′ around a treatment area.
In one exemplary approach, a hood-style laser device 100′ includes one hundred laser modules 110 disposed within an ellipsoidal concave inner face 165 of housing 160. Housing 160 may be mounted to an adjustable arm which allows laser device 100′ to be placed around a treatment area, such as a user's head. Control pad 130′ of laser device 100′ may be used to indicate the desired setting for use of laser device 100′, including laser module 110 power level, pulse settings, treatment duration, etc.
Laser modules 110 may be positioned such that beams from each laser module 110 project to distinct points within a treatment region. Additionally, laser modules 110 may be positioned such that subsets of beams from laser modules 110 may impact the treatment region at substantially the same region, thereby providing one or more regions within the treatment area at which additional radiant energy is applied.
The hood-style laser device 100′ may further include one or more pins 115 disposed within housing 160, such as along the inner concave face 165, to provide stimulation and measurement capabilities within a treatment region, or to ensure laser device 100′ is properly positioned with respect to a treatment region.
While the above exemplary approach describes housing 160 of laser device 100 as having a concave inner face 165, it is to be understood that this is by way of example and not of limitation, and that housing 160 and inner face 165 may have any number of forms without parting from the scope of this disclosure.
The mounting hardware 119 in the exemplary embodiment includes double-sided adhesive 119c, e.g. double-sided tape, mounted to an outer face of a rubber washer 119b. A metal washer 119a may be disposed along an innermost face of rubber washer 119b. In an exemplary embodiment, metal washer 119a may be a concave washer, to better conform to contours of surrounding structure, e.g. a concave inner face 165 of housing 160. The mounting hardware 119 may allow for easy placement of a module 110 within a housing 160 of a device 100′, such as within concave inner face 165.
Laser module 110 may further include a connector portion 123 configured to allow quick connection and disconnection of a laser module 110.
While the above exemplary approach describes mounting hardware 119 of laser module 110 as including double-sided adhesive 119c as a mounting mechanism, it is to be understood that this is by way of example and not of limitation, and that mounting hardware 119 may have any number of forms without parting from the scope of this disclosure, such as a clasp, a magnet, a male or female end configured to clasp a corresponding female or male end of housing 160, etc. Further, the placement of the various elements which make up mounting hardware 119 are shown in a particular order, though this is by way of example and not of limitation. For example, the relative placement of the metal washer 119a, the rubber washer 119b, and the double-sided adhesive 119c and may be altered, to allow additional or alternative placement methods for laser module 110. Further, one or more of metal washer 119a, the rubber washer 119b, or double sided adhesive 119c may be omitted without parting from the scope of the present disclosure.
Functionally, a laser device 100 or 100′ operates in accordance with the flow chart of
At step 204, the user selects a power level by selecting the “power” button on control pad 130. The power levels are pre-programmed into the device 100, such as in a microcontroller, and may be dependent on the number of laser modules 110 disposed in a specific laser device 100. In an exemplary device, however, power level one is programmed as a 20% duty cycle. Each additional power level represents an incremental increase with respect to power level one. In one exemplary approach, the incremental increase per power level is a 20% duty cycle. One of ordinary skill in the art understands that the incremental power levels, as well as the base power level, is a variable that may be pre-programmed and/or adjusted depending on the specifications of the application and the laser device 100.
At step 206, the user selects a pulse level by selecting the “pulse” button at the control pad 130. The pulse level in general represents the number of laser pulses applied to a treatment region every second, as well as the duration of each pulse. In an exemplary approach, pulse level one is programmed to two pulses per second. For each increase in pulse level, the number of pulse per second is increased by one. For example, pulse level two represents three pulses per second and pulse level three represents four pulses per second. Similar to the power level settings, one of ordinary skill in the art understands that the pulse level settings and the pulse duration are adjustable and programmable, and may be dependent on the specific laser device 100 application. In addition, the frequency of laser pulses may be modified by adjusting the pulse width duration or by modulating the pulse width. Pulsing the laser modules 110 advantageously reduces thermal runaway and power consumption of the laser modules 110, thereby extending battery life and service life of the laser device 100. In addition, by pulsing the laser modules 110 the cells, tissues, hair papilla, follicles and hair are allowed to rest and resonate, which may increase the effects of cellular stimulation, which may aid and promote cellular regeneration and proliferation, as well as hair growth.
At step 208, the user selects a timer function by selecting either the “timer” button or the “C.Mode” button on the control pad 130. By selecting the “timer” button, the user is able to select a five, ten or fifteen minute operation time interval. In other words, if the user selects five minutes, the laser device 100 will operate at the selected power and pulse level for five minutes. By selecting the “C.Mode” button, the user is able to customize the operation time interval subject to a maximum allotted treatment time, which may be sixty minutes.
After the user has selected all relevant settings, a delay timer may initiate at step 210. In one exemplary embodiment, the delay timer may be a five-second timer. At the end of the delay timer, the settings may initiate, to allow treatment to begin at step 212. Providing a delay timer may allow time for a user to position a device proximate a treatment area, and/or may serve as a safety mechanism to ensure a device 100 is properly positioned prior to activation of laser modules 110.
At step 214, following the conclusion of a selected time interval, the auto off function initiates. This function begins timing at the completion of the treatment session and automatically turns off laser device 100 after a period of inactivity. This inactive time period may vary and may be programmable. The inactivity timer may include a warning alarm to indicate to a user that the device 100 is to be powered off. The period may be adjusted depending on the specific laser device 100 needs and applications.
While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the foregoing exemplary approaches, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various alternatives to the exemplary approaches of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and that the method and system within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby. This description of the invention should be understood to include all novel and non-obvious combinations of elements described herein, and claims may be presented in this or a later application to any novel and non-obvious combination of these elements. The foregoing exemplary approach is illustrative, and no single feature or element is essential to all possible combinations that may be claimed in this or a later application. Where the claims recite “a” or “a first” element of the equivalent thereof, such claims should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.
Claims
1. A device for providing laser energy to a treatment region, comprising:
- a head assembly including a plurality of discrete laser sources configured to provide laser energy to the treatment region;
- wherein at least a subset of the plurality of laser sources are positioned to provide laser energy to substantially the same portion of the treatment region.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of laser energy from a first laser source and at least a portion of laser energy from a second laser source act in a reinforcing manner.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein the at least a portion of laser energy from the first laser source and the at least a portion of laser energy from the second laser source overlap in a common area of contact within the treatment region.
4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of interchangeable head assemblies, at least a subset of laser sources associated with a first head assembly generating laser energy at a range of wavelengths dissimilar to the laser energy generated by at least a subset of laser sources associated with a second head assembly.
5. The device of claim 4, wherein the laser sources associated with a first head assembly generate laser energy at a range of wavelengths dissimilar to the laser energy generated by the laser sources associated with a second head assembly.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein at least a subset of the laser sources are selectively configured to generate laser energy in accordance with at least one predetermined pulsing interval.
7. The device of claim 6, wherein the at least one pulsing interval is selected to facilitate a resonance response within an area of contact within the treatment region.
8. The device of claim 6, wherein the at least one pulsing interval is selected to reduce current draw by the laser sources
9. The device of claim 6, wherein the at least one pulsing interval is provided by at least one laser source duty cycle, the duty cycle including an on cycle where the at least one laser source is powered and an off cycle where the at least one laser source is not powered.
10. The device of claim 9, wherein the on cycle is provided according to a sub-duty cycle, the sub-duty cycle including an on cycle and an off cycle.
11. The device of claim 1, further including a plurality of pins configured to selectively contact the treatment region, wherein the plurality of pins are offset with respect to the plurality of laser sources to prevent interference between the pins and the laser energy
12. The device of claim 11, wherein at least one of the plurality of pins includes an integrated sensor to selectively sense a treatment property of the treatment region.
13. The device of claim 12, wherein generation of laser energy is controlled in response to the sensed treatment property.
14. The device of claim 13, wherein laser energy is provided only upon detection of a sensed treatment property.
15. The device of claim 12, wherein the sensor senses at least one of pin deflection, temperature, electrical resistance, impedance, reactance, and current.
16. The device of claim 11, wherein at least one of the plurality of pins includes a varying treatment stimulus.
17. The device of claim 16, wherein the varying treatment stimulus is at least one of magnetic energy, vibration, a temperature offset from an ambient temperature, and a high-voltage electro-pulse.
18. The device of claim 16, wherein the at least one pin is operatively connected to at least one of a magnet, a motor, or a thermal regulator.
19. The device of claim 1, further comprising a data port configured to allow data transfer to and from the device.
20. A handheld self-contained laser device, comprising:
- a laser control circuit and a plurality of discrete laser sources;
- a first laser source positioned to provide laser energy to a first focal point;
- a second laser source positioned to provide laser energy to a second focal point;
- wherein at least a portion of the laser energy from the first laser source and at least a portion of the laser energy from the second laser source overlap;
- the laser control circuit configured to cause at least a subset of the laser sources to generate laser energy in accordance with at least one predetermined pulsing interval; and
- wherein the at least one pulsing interval is selected to reduce current draw by the laser sources, and to facilitate a resonance response within an area of contact within the treatment region.
21. The device of claim 20, further comprising a plurality of pins configured to selectively contact the body region, wherein the plurality of pins are offset with respect to the plurality of laser sources to prevent interference between the pins and the laser energy.
22. The device of claim 21, wherein at least one of the plurality of pins includes an integrated sensor to selectively sense a treatment property of the body region.
23. The device of claim 22, wherein generation of laser energy is controlled in response to the sensed property.
24. The device of claim 23, wherein laser energy is provided only upon detection of a sensed treatment property.
25. The device of claim 22, wherein the sensor senses at least one of pin deflection, temperature, electrical resistance, impedance, reactance, and current.
26. The device of claim 21, wherein at least one of the plurality of pins includes a varying treatment stimulus.
27. The device of claim 26, wherein the varying treatment stimulus is at least one of magnetic energy, vibration, a temperature offset from an ambient temperature, and a high-voltage electro-pulse.
28. The device of claim 26, wherein the at least one pin is operatively connected to at least one of a magnet, a motor, or a thermal regulator.
29. The device of claim 20, wherein the at least one pulsing interval includes at least a first portion where the plurality of laser sources are generally powered and at least a second portion where the plurality of laser sources are generally not powered.
30. The device of claim 29, wherein the plurality of lasers are selectively powered during the first portion according to at least one pulsing interval.
31. A method of providing laser energy to a treatment region comprising:
- directing laser energy from a plurality of laser sources onto a treatment region from a plurality of directions;
- pulsing at least a subset of the laser sources according to at least one pulsing interval;
- directing laser energy from at least a subset of the plurality of laser sources onto substantially the same portion of the treatment region; and
- reinforcing laser energy from a first direction by directing laser energy from a second direction, thereby increasing the energy provided to a treatment region.
32. The method of claim 31, further including selectively pulsing at least a subset of the laser sources, causing at least a portion of the treatment region to resonate and selectively reducing current draw by the laser sources.
33. The method of claim 32, further including directing laser energy along the shaft and into the root of a hair.
34. The method of claim 29, further including directing the laser energy through the shaft, into a hair follicle, and into the area surrounding the hair follicle.
35. The method of claim 31, wherein pulsing at least a subset of the laser sources according to at least one pulsing interval includes powering the at least a subset of laser sources during a first interval and removing power form the at least a subset of laser sources during a second interval.
36. The method of claim 35, wherein powering the at least a subset of laser sources during a first interval includes selectively powering a laser during at least a first sub-interval, and removing power from the at least a subset of laser sources during a second interval.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 29, 2007
Publication Date: May 29, 2008
Inventor: Richard Laurent (Bloomfield Hills, MI)
Application Number: 11/771,526